15 Things To Do in Hyogo

Hyogo is a prefecture in Japan that houses some of the most visited cities in Japan: Osaka, Kobe, and Himeji. The area is rich in history and natural beauty, offering many interesting attractions. This article presents you 15 things to do in Hyogo.

1. Visit Himeji Castle

The size and its elegant appearance make Himeji Castle to be considered Japan’s most impressive castle. Recognized as a natural treasure and world heritage site, it is one of the twelve original castles in the country that were never destroyed in wars or by natural disasters. The top floor houses a small shrine and offers amazing views of the surrounding area. The castle’s garden has many cherry tresses and is a very popular cherry blossom viewing spot during spring.

Information

Price: 1000 yen

Access: a 15 minute walk from Himeji Station

Opening hour: 09:00

Closing hour: 17:00

Holiday: December 29 and 30

Website: http://www.himejicastle.jp/en/

2. Stroll Kokoen Garden

Kokoen is a large Japanese style garden in Himeji which features nine smaller gardens, each with its own specific. It was constructed on the site where a feudal lord’ residence used to be. Among the gardens, visitors can see a flower garden, a bamboo garden, a pine tree garden, a tea ceremony garden and the garden of the lord’s residence which has a pond and a small waterfall. Kokoen is also the perfect place for seeing colored maple trees, attracting many visitors during autumn.

Information

Price: 300 yen

Access: a 20 minute walk from Himeji Station

Opening hour: 09:00

Closing hour: 18:00

Holiday: December 29 and 30

Website: http://www.himeji-machishin.jp/ryokka/kokoen/english.html

3. Visit Takeda Castle’s ruins

The site of Takeda Castle is one of the most scenic places in Japan. Even though the castle is no longer standing and just a few walls remain from it, its location is well worth the visit. Takeda Castle is placed on the top of a mountain with extraordinary views of the surrounding valleys. Sometimes clouds fill the valleys and the ruins appear to be floating on top of them. The climb to the top of the mountain takes about 90 minutes and the trail is not paved, so visitors should wear proper shoes before going.

Information

Access: a 60 minute walk from Takeda Station

4. Relax on the beach

Source: Alexandra Negoita

Kobe city has many sand beaches along its shores, like the ones in the Suma, Tarumi, and Maiko areas. The beaches attract many people for swimming, sunbathing or enjoying various water sports. But even if you are not visiting in summer, a walk on the beach is still a pleasant activity. Walking on the soft sand while listening to the ocean waves is a good way to spend an afternoon. The beaches are also near many shops and restaurants where you can dine after your walk.

5. Visit Engyoji Temple

Engyoji Temple is located on top of Mount Shosha and houses several sub-temples. It can be accessed by cable car followed by a short walk. There are many interesting Buddhist statues and architectural points to observe at each building. Besides exploring the area, visitors can enjoy seeing nice views of Himeji city from the mountain top. The temple is also the location of the “Last Samurai” movie, which was filmed here because of the temple’s old atmosphere, not intruded by any modern constructions.

Information

Price: 500 yen

Access: by ropeway from Mount Shosha ropeway station (take bus number 8 from Himeji train station)

Opening hour: 08;30

Closing hour: 18:00

Holiday: none

Website: http://www.shosha.or.jp/

6. Enjoy the nightscape in Kobe port

The port area in Kobe is the perfect place to spend the evening. There are many landmarks that look beautiful when lightened in the dark, like the Kobe Port Tower and the Ferris wheel at the Mosaic shopping complex. You can just walk around Meriken Park and listen to the ocean waves while enjoying the view or you can go up the Kobe Port Tower observatory or ride the Ferris wheel. No matter your choice, the views are amazing!

Information

Access: Kobe Station

7. Climb Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko is a 931 meters tall mountain just west of Kobe that features various attractions like an alpine flower botanical garden, a music box museum, a golf course and a complex with shops and restaurants. It can be accessed by cable car or by several trails. While going by cable car is the most comfortable, actually climbing the mountain will give you a much more interesting experience as there are some points of interest on the trails as well. The top of the mountain will reward you with beautiful views of Osaka and Kobe.

Information

Access: from Rokko or Arimaonsen stations

8. See Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge located in Kobe is the world’s largest suspension bridge. It took workers 10 years to complete its construction and the steel cable used could encircle the planet more than seven times. The bridge is made to survive nature’s attacks: heavy rain, strong wind, earthquakes, typhoons, and hurricanes. Besides enjoying looking at the bridge, visitors can also take part in guided tours. The tours last 2.5 hours and take visitors to the very top of the bridge. The views are spectacular!

Information

Access: Maikokoen Station

9. Visit Kobe City Suma Marine Aquarium

Suma Marine Aquarium has many sea creatures to amaze visitors with. The facility also features Japan’s first underwater tunnel called “Amazon World”. Visitors that go through the tunnel can enjoy seeing the sea creatures swim around them. Looking at the aquarium’s sharks, sea turtles and stingrays just meters away will make you feel like you are in the depths of the ocean. There are also several events like a live fish show, a dolphin show, and a sea otter feeding show.

Information

Price: 1300 yen

Access: a 5 minute walk from JR Sumakaihin Koen Station

Opening hour: 09:00

Closing hour: 17:00

Holiday: Wednesdays

Website: http://sumasui.jp/

10. Visit Sumaura Park

Sumaura Park is part of the Rokko Mountain range and is located just next to the ocean in Kobe. The park is accessible by cable car and offers amazing views of the ocean, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Kobe. The sun’s warm colors as it sets combined with the millions of lights below make an amazing sight. The park is also well known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees and becomes a popular attraction during spring.

Information

Access: from Sumaurakoen Station

11. Visit the Earthquake Museum

The Kobe Earthquake Museum was made as a remainder of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Located in the port area in Meriken Park, the museum consists of an actual building with various exhibitions, including a large screen which shows the destructive power of such a disaster, and an area which was preserved after the earthquake. The preserved area shows exactly how Meriken Park looked after the earthquake stopped, with crooked streetlights and crumbled concrete.

Information

Price: 600 yen

Access: a 10 minute walk from Iwaya Station

Opening hour: 09:30

Closing hour: 17:30

Holiday: on Mondays , December 31 and January 1

Website: December 31 and January 1

12. Go to Kobe City Oji Zoo

The Kobe City Oji Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the Kansai area, boasting more than 850 animals from 150 different species. Visitors can see snow leopards, amur tigers, golden snub-nosed monkeys, koalas, and pandas. Among the most popular animals are the pandas Koko and Tantan and Suwako, a female elephant which is the oldest one in Japan. The zoo has many facilities such as the “Animal Science Pavilion”, a place to learn more about animals, the “Fierce Animal Coliseum”, where felines can be observed through glass and the “Animal and Children Country”, a part of the zoo where children can pet different animals.

Information

Price: 600 yen

Access: outside Hankyu Oji Koen Station

Opening hour: 09:00

Closing hour: 17:00

Holiday: Wednesdays, December 29 to January 1

Website: http://ojizoo.jp/

13. Climb Mount Maya

Mount Maya is a 698.6 meter high mountain in Kobe which is also part of the Rokko chain. Mount Maya is part of the Setonaikai National Park and is very famous for the views from its top. Visitors can see Kobe, Nishinomiya, Osaka, Amagasaki, Sakai, Kobe Airport and Kansai International Airport. The night view is so impressive that was called “ten million dollar night view” and became one of Japan’s top three. The top of the mountain can be accessed by ropeway, cableway or by foot.

Information

Access: a 30 minute walk from Iwaya Station

14. Go shopping

Hyogo has many shopping possibilities such as Mitsui Outlet Park Marine Pia in Kobe, Aeon Mall in Itami, Aste Mall in Kawasaki, Flower Street in Takarazuka, Sunshine Wharf in Kobe. Aeon Mall Otsu in Himeji and Nikke Park Town in Kakokgawa. There are products for everybody, like women and men fashion, jewelry, toys, books, souvenirs, electronics and beauty goods. After shopping, visitors can dine at the many restaurants and cafes that can be found in the malls.

15. Visit Ikuta Shrine

Ikuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kobe that is said to be among the oldest ones in the country. The shrine survived many wars and natural disasters such as the Genpei War from 1180 to 1185 , World War II , a severe flooding in 1938 and the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. The shrine therefore became a symbol of resistance and hope to the people in the area. Many people visit it today to pray for luck and happiness.